January 5, 2012
You might think a film about a Swedish commune in the 70s would be a pretty niche thing but actually this film is really approachable and rich. It's set (and made) in Swedish, and populated by Swedish actors, but if you're a Scandi Crime fan you'll recognise most of them from Wallander and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
The themes are also internationally recognisable, namely the joys and terrible pains of living with other people, and the damage one can do to one's nearest and dearest while occupied with Doing Good In The World. In short, this is a film about compromise.
It is heartwarming, but it really isn't sickly or sentimental. In fact some elements are utterly agonising, not least the growing pains of the children of the commune, children who really didn't ask for vegetarianism or wooden home-made lego, but whose misguided and unnoticing parents enforce their own belief system on the kids too.
I love films that Hollywood just wouldn't make, with no special effects budget and no man-eating aliens. The only thing that gnaws people in Tilsammens is loneliness. The effects, plot and triumphs are small, but they mean a lot to their characters.
One minute you haven't heard of this film, the next minute it's your new favourite.
The themes are also internationally recognisable, namely the joys and terrible pains of living with other people, and the damage one can do to one's nearest and dearest while occupied with Doing Good In The World. In short, this is a film about compromise.
It is heartwarming, but it really isn't sickly or sentimental. In fact some elements are utterly agonising, not least the growing pains of the children of the commune, children who really didn't ask for vegetarianism or wooden home-made lego, but whose misguided and unnoticing parents enforce their own belief system on the kids too.
I love films that Hollywood just wouldn't make, with no special effects budget and no man-eating aliens. The only thing that gnaws people in Tilsammens is loneliness. The effects, plot and triumphs are small, but they mean a lot to their characters.
One minute you haven't heard of this film, the next minute it's your new favourite.